Simulation and basic skills courses in robot-assisted surgery

EndoCAS Cisanello, Bldg 102, Via Paradisa, 2 56122 Pisa (PI)

Objectives

To develop basic psychomotor and cognitive skills needed in robotic surgery by practicing at the virtual simulator (Mimic’s dV-Trainer with 2016 updated software) until proficiency level is achieved.

Program

Cognitive part: each participant, after registering, will complete The Fundamentals of Robotic Surgery (FRS)  available at https://www.surgicalexcellence.org/fundamentals-of-robotic-surgery-frs

Technical part: basic exercises to familiarize with the robot’s command interface, more complex exercises (knots and suturing), up to augmented reality procedures (partial nephrectomy, and/or inguinal hernia). Exercises are to be performed until the proficiency level is reached consecutively twice.

Seminars: a surgeon shows videos of robotic surgery procedures, illustrating the basic steps.

Duration

Cognitive part: approximately 3 hours

The technical part (at the virtual simulator) is 60, maximum 90 minutes. The seminars are about two hours each.

Frequency

At the virtual simulator: once, maximum twice a week.

Participants

Fifth- and sixth-year general surgery residents.